Taiwanese Sponsors Witness Transformative Impact in Eswatini Communities
World Vision Eswatini recently hosted a delegation from World Vision Taiwan, who travelled to the country alongside Taiwanese sponsors to visit communities and see first-hand the impact of the projects they have supported. The visit provided an opportunity for the sponsors to engage directly with beneficiaries and witness the transformation their contributions have made towards improving the lives of the most vulnerable.
One of the key visits was to Lugedzeni, where a neighbourhood care point (NCP) that also serves as a pre-school has become a vital centre for early childhood development. Constructed by World Vision Taiwan, the facility offers young children a strong foundation for education while addressing food insecurity. Children attending the centre receive a daily meal, usually rice and beans, the only decent meal of the day for many. Sponsors were able to observe the joy and energy of the children, as well as the pride the community has in the facility. A toilet block was also built alongside the NCP to improve sanitation and ensure a safe and healthy learning environment.
The delegation also visited Salem High School, where they met with members of the school’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Club, made up of school learners. They shared how they promote hygiene practices and serve as role models within their school and the surrounding community. The visit demonstrated how young people are being empowered through the programme to lead positive change.
In Zandondo, the group witnessed a rice distribution exercise, coordinated by World Vision Eswatini in partnership with the National Disaster Management Agency. The rice, donated by World Vision Taiwan, is being distributed to vulnerable families facing food shortages caused by the devastating impact of climate change-induced drought, hailstorms and floods. The sponsors had the chance to interact with recipients and observe the logistics of the distribution, gaining a deeper understanding of how their support is reaching those most in need.
The visit not only strengthened ties between World Vision Eswatini and its Taiwanese partners, but also reinforced the tangible impact that sponsorship and international collaboration can have in transforming communities.